Sheet-delivery mechanism for printing-presses.



E. F. DUDLEY.- SHEET DFLIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICAHON FILED DEC- ll. 19H.

latm ltvgl May 4, 1915.

3 SHlE IS-SHEET l.

E. F. DUDLEY. SHEET OELIVERYMECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

- APPLICATION FILED DEC. H. I913- 1,137,957

Patented May 4, 1915.

wjr'zue r/on' LMiw-d. mad 9 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

EM DUDLEY. SHEET DELIVERY MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

E APPLICATION FILED DEC. I7. I9I3. 1,137,957.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

IHI llillll d 7/ w w m w a Z UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD F. DUDLEY, OF OAK PARK. ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MIEHLE PRINTING PRESS & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SHEET-DELIVERY MECHANISIVI FOR PRINTING-PRESSES.

Application filed December 17, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Enwxnn F. DUDLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sheetl)elivery Mechanism for Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

The invention has for its object the pr'ovision of improved means whereby to effect the delivery of printed sheets from a press with accuracy and despatch, receiving the same singly from the printing cylinder and depositing them in uniform stack upon the receiving table.

The features of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein is set forth by way of illustration only a preferred embodiment of the invention and in which drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of the essential features of the delivery mechanism; Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive are diagrammatic views illustrating successive positions assumed by the parts; and F 1g. 8 1s a rear end.

view of the delivery mechanism withcertain supplemental portionsshown in vertical section.

Herein the reference numeral 11 designates standards forming part of the frame Work of the machine in which is suitably journaled a drive shaft 12 having mounted thereon the sprocket 1.3 by which it is driven, and also pinions 1 1, 14, which serve to drive pinions 15, 15, keyed upon stub shafts 1G, 16 likewise journaled in the frame and carrying sprocket'wheels 17, 17. Also suitably journaled in the machine frame to the rear of those ust described are other stub shafts 18, 18, carrying sprockets 19, 19 arranged in pairs and in longitudinal alinement with the respective sprockets 17, 17 at the two sides of the delivery mechanism. The sprockets 17,19 on one side of the machine and also the corresponding sprockets on the opposite sides of the machine are traversed by sprocket chains 20, 20, which travel longitudinally of the frame upon each side 7 thereof.

The sprocket chains 2C. 20 have journaled in one of the links thereof and upon opposite sidesof the frame at 21, 21 the terminal por- Speeifieation of Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1915.

Serial No. 807.159.

the axis of the rollers 21, 24. Likewisev A series of carrier tape rollers 28, 28 i c5 portions 22,22

guided between the members 25, and 26. if on each side of the frame are rollers 29, 29

carried by a shaft 30, each end of the shaft 30 being connected by means of the rigid bars 31, 31 with the cranked axle 23 at'the point of. offset of the terminal portions 22 whereby the shaft 30 is held in fixed position relative to the cranked axle 23 and as the cranked axle is traversed withrefere'nce tothe frame by means of the carrying sprocket chain 20 the shaft 30 is likewise traversed in advance of the said cranked axle. shaft 30 has fixed thereon carrier tape The 1 0-1 .5 rollers 32, 32 arranged in alinement with the i rollers 28, 28, the respective airs of rollers being traversed by carrier tapes 33, 33. of the usual type.

Similarly attached to the sprocket chains 20 at a point op -i point of connection 21 is a duplicate ofthe mechanism Just described and consisting of a cranked axle 31 the terminal portions of which have journaled thereon rollers 35, '35, the said cranked axle 34 being connected by means of the bars, 3 3G with the shaft 37.

carrying the rollers 38, 38 by which it is v guided upon the frame members 25, 26, the I v cranked axle 31 having upstandingthei'ofrom the arms 39, 39 carrying the tape rollers 40, 40, which together with therollers by carrier tapes 42, 42.

-41, 11 fixed upon the shaft 37 are'traversed V A printing cylinder is indicated generally I at l3 from which the printed sheets are delivered on to the carrier tapes 33, and 42 in turn by means of the down tapesj-H, +4: traversing the tape rollers 4-5, 46 in the usual manner. r

Adjacent each side of the series of carrier tape rollers 28, 3:3 and thereabove is mounted a pair of rider tape 1- \Ilers-ITAT traversed by rider tapes -18, which, after the usual,

manner, rest frictionally upon the upper surface of the printed sheet as it is carried along by the carrier tapes 33, while similarly mounted adjacent each side of and above the carrier tape rollers 40, 41 are mounted rider tape rollers a9 and 50 traversed by rider tapes 51.

As will be observed by reference to Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive, the guide members 25 and 26 form therebetween an upper path 52 adapted to be followed by the guide rollers of the two delivery carriages while the guide members 53, 54 form therebetween a lower path 55 for said rollers. The two paths 52 and 55 are superposed in spaced parallel relation, the path 55 being of substantially twice the length as the path 52. The forward end of the path 52 is connected with the forward end of the path 55 by the inclined path 56, while the rear end of the path is connected with the medial portion of the path 55 by the inclined path 57. At a distance from the forward end of the path 55 corresponding to the length of a delivery carriage is an arcuate cross path 58 extending in a general vertical direction, the location of the path 58 and its curvature corresponding transversely of the mechanism to the movement of the chain about its sprocket 15.

At the upper end of the path 57 is pivoted at 59 a switch 60 having its upper face formed as a rack while a similar switch 61 is pivoted at 0'2 to control the entrance from the path 56 to the forward end of the path 55, the switch 61 having its lower face forward as a rack. At the connection between the path 57 and the path 55 is ar ranged a switch 63 pivoted at 64 and having an obliquely projecting tail piece 65. At the junction between the cross path 58 and the path 52 is mounted a switch in the sha e of a star wheel (36 having three arms 6 68 and (39. All of these switches are adapted to be operated automatically by the guide rollers of the delivery carriages as they enter and leave the different paths.

Generally speaking, mechanism as thus far described is as follows: Assuming the two delivery carriages and their component parts to be in the position represented in Figs. 1 and 2, the sprocket chain 20 is caused to travel in its orbit y the rotation of the sprocket wheels 17 and 19 and the rear guide rollers of each carriage are drawn by their connection with the chain forwardly toward the right pushing ahead of them the front guide rollers by means of the rigid connecting bais. One of the carriages thus assumes the horizontal position indicated in Fig. 3 below the down tapes 44 in readiness to receive the printed sheet from the press. The normal speed of the delivery carriages in their movement to and fro is one-half that of the delivery mechanism of the press and to compensate for this the operation of the difference in speed. the shafts 30 of the one carriage and 370i the other are provided respectively with pinions 70 and 71, and the pinion 70 at this moment engages with the rack (50 causing the shaft 30 to rotate and the tapes 33 to travel on said carriage at a speed equal to the forward movement of the carriage itself whereby the actual resultant speed of the carrier tapes 33 is twice that of the carriage and equal to that of the down tapes' from the printing press during the time that the pinion 70 is traversing the rack 60. As the carriage in question moves to the rear its forward roller clears the cross path 58 upon the arm (37 of the star wheel switch 66, as indicated in Fig. i, and imme diately thereafter contacts with the arm 68 of the switch thereby uncovering the entrance to the cross path 58 as indicated in Fig. 5. Proceeding, the roller 29 enters the inclined connecting path 56 reaching the switch 61, as indicated in Fig. 6, and depresses the same, as shown in Fig. 7, and thereafter moves to the extreme forward end of the lower path Its final movement to the end of the path being concurrent with the passage of the rear roller through the cross path 58, as shown in Fig. 2, leaving which the said rear roller contacts with the arm (59 of the star switch and closes the upper entrance to the cross patch by the arm 67. There being two carriages moving in alternation to and fro between the press and point of delivery, and the carriage, the movement of which is being followed, having reached the extreme end of its path in one direction, the positions of the two carriages are reversed each occupying the position previously occupied by the other. In order, therefore, to follow the carriage in its return movement reference must be had in Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive to the movement as therein represented of the other carriage. Immediately as the forward guide roller reaches the forward limit of its path it clears the end of the switch 61 which, under the influence of a counterweight or a suitable spring, not shown, returns to its normal position closing the path 56 and overlying the forward end of the path The carriage in this position is immediately above the stack of printed sheets and as it moves rearwardly the engagement of its pinion with the lower face of the rack switch 61 again causes the relative movement of the carrier tapes to the rear which results in discharging the transported sheet from the carriage on to the stack. As the rear guide roller of the carriage pursues its return course through the lower path 55, as indicated in Figs. '3 and 4, it contacts with the tail piece 65 of the switch 63 and shifts said switch to the position indicated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, and as the forward roller reaches said switch it is deflected upwardly 4!)? to the point of discharge through the path 57, and lifts the switch as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, while the rear roller attached to the chain passes around the sprocket l9 and the carriage again reaches the position indicated in Fig. 3 in readiness to receive another printed sheet.

It will thus be observed that a delivery mechanism is herein provided operating generally at a normal speed half that of the press, the actual speed of the tapes being momentarily increased at the time of re ceiving and discharging a sheet to conform to the speed of the press delivery. It will also be seen that by the employment of a plurality of delivery carriages hand ing the printed sheets in alternation and moving in parallel interchanging planes during their forward and return movement the printed sheets are handled expeditiously and without disturbance, being carried throughout in a substantially horizontal position, not subject to jar, and accurately discharged upon the stack in such manner as to secure uniformity of operation throughout. It will be noted furthermore that by the employment of a sheet delivery carriage .which is rigid or inflexible, that is to say which does not bend upon itself to accomplish a reversal of movement as in the case of a flexible body such as a belt traveling around a pulley, I .n enabled to maintain the carriage at all times substantially horizontal, and yet to employ a plurality of carriages operating in alternation. Moreover, it is hereby rendered possible to employ rider tape mechanism moving bodily with the carriage and acting upon the sheet without interz uption throughout the time of its transportation from the point of reception on to the pile.

By the term bodily movable as used in the specification and claims I mean transportable as a whole from place to place as distinguished from a thing pivotally, rotatably or hingedly mounted to move about a fixed point as in the arc of a circle.

I claim;

1. In a delivery mechanism for V presses, a rigid delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the r turn movement in another plane, a series of tapes movable with and relative to the carriage, substan- 55 tially as described.

Q. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a duplex delivery device comprising pair of rigid delivery carriages bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the return movement in another plane, and a series of tapes movable with and relative to each carriage, substantially as described.

3. In a delivery mechanism for printing printing presses, a duplex delivery device comprising a pair of rigid delivery carriages bodily movable in alternation between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the return movement in a substantially parallel plane, and a series of tapes movable with and relaive-to each carriage, substantially as described.

4. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a duplex delivery device comprising a pair of rigid delivery'carriages bodily movable in alternation between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the return movement in a lower plane, a series of carrier tapes movable with and relative to each carriage, and rider tapes movable with the carriage abm'e the carrier tapes, substantially as described.

5. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a delivery (fl rriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides providing two superposed substantially parallel paths with connecting paths at the ends and also in their medial portion, a pair of sprocket wheels, and a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, and switches controlling the connecting paths, said switches automatically operated by the carriage as it passes, substantially as described.

6. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides providing two superposed spaced substantially parallel paths with connecting inclined paths at oneend and also in their medial portion, and a cross path between the two inclined paths, a pair of sprocket wheels, and a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the cross path, substantially as described.

7. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides pro viding two superposed spaced substantially parallel paths with connecting inclined paths at one end and also in their medial portion, and a cross path between the two inclined paths, a pair of sprocket wheels, a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the cross path, and switches con-- trolling the connecting paths, said switches forward movement 1'30 in another plane,

being in one plane and the return movement in another plane, a series of tapes mo able with and relative to the carriage, and means operating at the time of receiving and discharging the sheet whereby to momentarily impart a movement of the tapes relative to the carriage, substantially as described.

9. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a multiplex delivery device comprising a plurality of rigid delivery carriages bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the return movement in another plane, and a series of tapes movable with and relative to each carriage, and means operating at the time of receiving and discharging the sheet whereby to momentarily impart a movement of the tapes relative to the carriage, substantially as described.

10. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a rigid delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of dis charge of the sheets, being in one plane and the return movement a series of tapes movable with and relative to the carriage, racks traversed by the carriage at the times of receiving and discharging a sheet, and a pinion on the carriage and engaging'the racks whereby to momentarily impart the movement of the tapes relative to the carriage, substantially as described.

11. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a multiplex delivery device comprising a plurality ot rigid delivery carriages bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, the forward movement being in one plane and the return movement in another plane, a series of tapes movable with and relative to each carriage, racks traversed by the carriages at the times of receiving and discharging the sheet, and a pinion on each carriage and engaging the racks whereby to momentarily impart a movement of the tapes relative to the carriage, substantially as described.

12. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets. guides providing two superposed substantially parah lel paths with connecting paths at the ends and also in their medial portion, a pair of sprocket wheels. and a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, substantially as described.

13. In a delivery mechanism for print ng presses, the combination of a delivery car riage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets. guides pro viding two superposed spaced substantially parallel paths with connecting paths at one end and also in their medial portion. a cross path between the two connecting paths, a

the forward movement.

pair of sprocket wheels, a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the cross path, the exits from the connecting paths bridged by switches adapted to be opened by the carriage as it leaves the connecting path and to automatically close thereafter, and the entrance to one of the connecting paths and to the cross path each controlled by a switch adapted to be opened by the passing front of the carriage and to be closed by the entering rear thereof, substantially as described.

14. In a delivery mechanism presses, the combination of a delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge between the sheets, guides providing two superposed spaced substantially parallel paths with connecting for- \vardly and downwardly inclined paths at one end and in their medial portion, and an arcuate cross path between the two inclined paths, a c oss path between the two inclined paths, a pair of sprocket wheels, a drive chain on the whccls and connected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the arcuate cross path with its periphery corresponding substantially thereto, the exits from each of the connecting paths bridged by switches adapted to be opened by the rear of the carriage as it leaves the connecting path and to automatically close thereafter, the entrance to the rear one of the connecting paths and to the arcuate cross path controlled by switches adapted to be opened by the passing front of the carriage and to be closed by the cntering rear thereof, substantially as described.

15. lo a delivery mechanism for printing presses. a duplex delivery dc\ice compris ing a liiuI' of delivery carriages each bodily movable between the press and point of dis charge of the sheets, guides providing two superposed substantially parallel paths with connecting forwardly and downwardly inclined paths at one end and in their medial portion, an arcuate cross path between the two inclined paths, :1 cross path between 'Ll two? .--lincd paths. a pair of sprocket whccb a drive chain on the wheels and counirni. to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the arcuate cross path with its periphery corresponding substantialiv thereto. the exits from each of the connecting pains bridged by switches adapted to be for printing opcmii o; the rear of the carriage as it lcav the connecting path and to automatirally close thereafter, the entrance to the rear one of the connecting paths and to the arcuate cross path controlled by switches adapted to be opened by the passing front of thc carriage and to be closed by the entering rear thereof, substantially as described.

' for printing 16 In a delivery mechanism presses, the combmation of a delivery rarriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides providing two superposed spaced substantially I parallel paths with connecting paths at one end and also in their medial portion, a cross path between the two connecting paths, a pair of sprocket wheels, a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the cross path, the exits from the connecting paths bridged by switches adapted to be opened by the carriage as it leaves the connecting path and to automatically close thereafter, and the entrance to one of the connecting paths and to the cross path each controlled by a switch adapted to be opened by the passing front of the carriage and to be closed by the entering rear thereof, a series of carrier tapes movable with and relative to the carriage, the switches at the exits from each of the connecting paths provided with means acting upon the carrier tapes to impart thereto a movement relative to the carriage, said movement corresponding in time to the receiving and discharging of a sheet, substantially as described.

17. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, a duplex delivery device comprising a pair of delivery carriages each bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides providing two superposed substantially parallel paths with connecting forwardly and downwardly inclined paths at one end and in their medial portion, an arcuate cross path between the two inclined paths, a cross path between the two inclined paths, a pair of sprocketwheels, a drive chain on the wheels and con nected to the carriage, one of the sprocket wheels arranged at the arcuate cross path with its periphery corresponding substantially thereto, the exits from each of the connecting paths bridged by switches adapted to be opened by the rear of the carriage as it leaves the connecting path and to automatically close thereafter, the entrance to the rear one of the connecting paths and to the areuate cross path controlled by switches adapted to be opened by the passing front of the carriage and to be closed by the entering rear thereof, a series of carrier tapes movable with and relative to each of the carriages, the switches at the exit from each of the connecting paths provided with means acting upon the carrier tapes to impart thereto a movement relative to the carriages, said movement corresponding in time to the receiving and discharging of the sheets, substantially as described.

18. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, guides providing superposed substantially parallel paths with connecting cross paths, a delivery carriage bodily movable betvveen' the press and point of discharge of the sheets and comprising a pair of guide rollers arranged in tandem on each side of the frame and traveling between the guides, an axle connecting the rear guide rollers of each pai tape rollers carried by the axle in substantially the plane of the guide rollers, a shaft connecting the forward guide rollers, tape rollers fixed on the shaft, carrier tapes on the alined rollers of the axle and shaft, a rigid connection between the axle and shaft, a pair of sprocket wheels,

a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the rear of the carriage, the forward sprocket wheels arranged at a cross path, and means cooperating with the shaft to effect a momentary forward movement of the tapes independent of the carriage at the time of receiving and discharging the sheets, substantially as described.

' 19. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, guides providing superposed substantially parallel paths with forwardly and downwardly inclined connecting paths and with an arcuate cross path, a pair of delivery carriages bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets and each comprising a pair of guide rollers arranged in tandem on each side of the flame and traveling between the guides, a cranked axle connecting the rear guide rollers of each pair, arms upstanding from the medial portion of the axle, tape rollers mounted in the arms in substantially the plane of the guide rollers, a shaft connecting the forward guide rollers, tape rollers fixed on the shaft, carrier tapes on alined rollers of the axle and shaft, rigid bars connecting the axle and shaft, a pinion on the shaft, a rack traversed by the pinion and adapted to rotate the shaft to move the tapes relative to the carriage at the time of receiving and discharging a sheet, a pair of sprocket wheels, and a drive chain on the wheels and connected at opposite points to the rear of each carriage, the forward sprocket wheel arranged at the cross path with its periphery corresponding substantially to the curvature thereof, substantially as described.

20. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a reciproeatory sheet transporting carriage, and means to elevate and lower the carriage at each reciprocation to cause the forward and rear ends of said carriage to traverse different orbital paths, substantially as described.

21. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a reciprocatory sheet transporting carriage, and means to elevate and lower the carriage at each reciprocation to cause the forward and rear ends of said carriage to traverse different overlapping orbital paths, substantially as described.

22. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a reciprocatory sheet transporting carriage, and means to cause the carriage to move bodily in an orbit and the forward and rear ends of said carriage to traverse difierent paths whereby to maintain the carriage in substantial parallelism with the orbital path traveled, substantially as described.

23. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a reciprocatory carriage, a guiding track mechanism to determine the path of travel of one end of said carriage, and a wheel and endless belt mechanism to determine a different path of travel for the other end of said carriage, substantially as described.

24. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination with carrier tapes of rider tape mechanism comprising tapes and pulleys, the rider tape mechanism bodily movable with the carrier tapes, substantially as described.

25. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a bodily movable carriage, carrier tapes movable therewith, and rider tape mechanism comprising rider tapes and tape pulleys, the rider tape mechanism bodily movable with the carriage, substantially as described.

26. In a sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a sheet carrier, and means to advance and retract said carrier in an orbit, the forward and rear ends of the carrier following different paths, substantially as described.

27. In a sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a sheet carrier, and means to advance and retract said carrier in an orbit, the forward and rear ends of the carrier following different paths, one end of the carrier always constituting the forward end, and the other always constituting the rear end, substantially as described.

28. In a sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a sheet carrier, wheels, a pair of endless bands passing around said wheels and fastened to the rear end only of said carrier, tracks, and means on the forward end only of said carrier traveling on said tracks, substantially as described.

29. In a sheet delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a sheet carrier, and means to advance and retract and to elevate and lower said carrier, the forward and rear ends of the carrier following different but overlapping paths, substantially as described.

30. In a delivery mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a delivery carriage bodily movable between the press and point of discharge of the sheets, guides for the delivery carriage providing, two superposed substantially parallel paths with connecting paths at one of the ends and also in their medial portion, a pair of sprocket wheels, and a drive chain on the wheels and connected to the carriage, substantially as described.

. In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD F. DUDLEY.

Witnesses:

BURT I). STEVENS, HENRY TONNESON. 

